Phase 9
Education Support at Khopoli Tribal Region-FM Sets Distribution
TSF Pune received another request for education support, from COEPian Foundation for Zilla Parishad schools in Raigad district. This area being considered as Tribal, there are many tribals who can afford to send their children to Zilla Parishad schools or Govt aided schools only. Schools were identified by COEPians foundation, volunteered by Mr. Vikram Kadam and the students targeted were from classes 1st to 4th.
On the auspicious occasion of Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (19th Feb 2021), TSF Pune distributed 50 FM radio sets in three different schools of Khopoli district.
1. Chincholi Gohe - 13 students
2. Tembhe wadi - 15 students
3. Honad- 22 students
These FM radio sets can be used by the students to listen the radio classes operated by GoI and GoM. This will help them to hear and learn their curriculum, additionally guided by the teacher. The unit will play audio lessons while the classes remain suspended. In long term and regular school routine, this will supplement the lessons being taught by the teachers.
The TSF volunteers along with COEPians representatives, were warmly welcomed by all the schools and they were more than happy to receive the valuable educational sets.
Ration Distribution to Folk-Theatre Artists
Mr. Yogesh Deshmukh approached TSF Pune team with plight of folk/theatre artists from Pimpri-Chinchwad area who were badly in need of ration during this second lockdown. March to May is earning season for these people but lockdown snatched the opportunity this year too. Mr. Yogesh informed that 6 artists had committed suicide out of depression and due to lack of earning opportunities.
After confirming the situation, TSF Pune had assured them to help with all their might. Accordingly, it was decided to distribute 40 dry ration kits on 14-May-2021.
Sri Bhushan Bamb, a trustee member of a local NGO 'Shri Dattatray and Kanifnath', Pune helped with 250 gm of teapowder in each kit.
The drive was attended by Khandu Maharaj - a nath sevak and few local volunteers Mr Mahesh Mirajkar, Mr Moreshwar Shedge, Mr Yogesh Chinchawde and few others from Sant Dnyaneshwar Mitra mandal.
No. of people helped – 40 families (160 people)
Items in the kit: Wheat Flour 5 Kg, Rice 5 Kg, Sugar 2 Kg, Tur Dal 1kg, Oil 1L , Salt-1 Kg, Tea Powder-250 gms.
Food and Shelter for Tribal Families at Bhosari
Distress calls from 5 bastis in the remote Bhosari area of Pune were forwarded by Mr. Aseem Tamboli (who has been regularly conducting relief activities in an individual capacity) to the Satsang Mission Team. The team visited the bastis and verified the details. They are mainly the tribal families of Vasudev, Nandi Bailwala & Gondhalis who follow their tradition of visiting door to door to collect dakshina and eatables. Strict lockdown halted their movement and left no source to meet their hunger.
Seeing urgency , next day itself on 22-May-2021 TSF Volunteers distributed 5Kg of Wheat and Rice each to 50 families. Six PVC flex Sheets also were provided to the needy ones to cover their huts.
No. of people helped: 50 families (300 Persons)
Items Provided: 250 Kg Wheat, 250 Kg Rice, 6 PVC Flex Sheets.
Ration Distribution to Five Varkari Gurukulas in Alandi
Shri Mauli Gurukulam, Alandi approached the volunteers of The Satsang Foundation, Pune as they and other four Gurukulas were in dire need of ration. These Gurukulas run on fees or donations received from performing Sapthahas,Bhajan & Kirtan programs. Due to the current pandemic condition, they were not able to earn any income from 2019.
These Gurukulas usually house 60-70 students each, now have fewer students with many of them returning to their hometowns because of the lockdown.They offer knowledge from rich Varkari literature & train students to perform Bhajan/Kirtans to keep alive and spread the message of Bhakti Tradition as taught by Great Saints like Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, Tukaram Maharaj to masses.
Alandi shares a special place in our hearts as it was one of the locations visited by Sri M during the Walk of Hope in 2015.
The Pune Team of SSM on 29/05/2021 distributed dry ration kits to these 5 Gurukulas to sustain them for a month.Sant Dnyaneshwar Mitra Mandal also volunteered to help along with The Satsang Foundation.The kids there sang beautiful Bhajans and the Vithu Gajar, which was completely filled in the air.
Autobiography by Sri M (Marathi) was gifted to the Gurukul so that young minds there can read and cultivate the values which Sri M has taught.
Name of Gurukulas: 1.Mauli Gurukul.
2.Sant Savata Maharaj Varakari Shikshan Sanstha.
3.Dnyandeep Gurukul Varakari Shikshan Sanstha.
4.Nadbramha Varakari Shikshan Sanstha.
5.Bhadangnath Baba Varakari Shikshan Sanstha.
Number of people benefited: 50
Items distributed: Wheat (250kg), Rice(250kg), Poha(100Kg), Oi(50Litre)l, Groundnuts(50kg), ToorDal(25kg), MoongDal(25kg),Matki(50kg),Masala(10kg), Chilly Powder(10kg), Salt(10kg), Turmeric(5kg), Coconut(25kg), Jeera(5kg), Sugar(25kg), Tea Powder(5kg).